As Eintracht Frankfurt prepare to host Liverpool in a highly anticipated Champions League clash on Wednesday, the encounter carries additional significance beyond the match itself. It marks a reunion with former striker Hugo Ekitike, who joined Liverpool during the summer transfer window after emerging from Frankfurt’s system. Yet, this fixture also highlights something far more profound about Frankfurt and German football as a whole—a deep-rooted connection between clubs and their communities that defines the Bundesliga experience and shapes the future of the sport in Germany.
Frankfurt, having finished third in the Bundesliga last season, is currently riding a wave of enthusiasm and growth. The club’s membership has surged to an impressive 155,000, making it the fourth-largest membership base in German football. This surge reflects the club’s strong ties to its supporters, which is underpinned by Germany’s unique 50+1 ownership rule. This regulation mandates that fans hold the majority of voting rights within clubs, ensuring that commercial interests do not dominate decision-making. While this model may limit the financial power of German clubs compared to wealthier European counterparts, it fosters accessibility, affordable ticket prices, and an unparalleled atmosphere at stadiums. The result is a fan experience that is deeply engaged and invested in the club’s identity and success.
About two percent of the German population are members of football clubs, an astonishing figure that underscores the importance of fan involvement. Members have the right to vote on crucial aspects such as the club’s board of directors, influencing the club’s direction in a way rarely seen in other countries. Although the degree of influence can vary between clubs, this democratic approach ensures that supporters’ voices truly matter. It’s a distinctive model that sets German football apart from the global norm, where ownership is often driven by private investors or corporations.
The Bundesliga’s motto, “Football as it’s meant to be,” might sound like a cliché, but it encapsulates the essence of the league’s approach. German sports clubs traditionally predate their football sections and often encompass multiple sports including basketball, table tennis, athletics, hockey, and darts, all united under a single club banner, often symbolized by the iconic eagle crest. This multi-sport club structure differs sharply from the franchise-based model prevalent in American sports. Bundesliga clubs must therefore balance their ambitions on the football pitch with their broader responsibility to the community by maintaining diverse sporting programs.
Armin Kraaz, Frankfurt’s vice president of sport, explains this dual role clearly. “We have about 10,000 kids and minors doing sports with our club,” he says, highlighting the club’s commitment to community engagement. Unlike in the United States, where schools and colleges primarily handle youth sports, in Germany, sports clubs bear this responsibility. Schools offer only minimal physical education, so clubs like Frankfurt play a crucial role in keeping young people active and off the streets, providing them with sporting opportunities across disciplines. This dual nature—being both a competitive football club and a community sports organization—creates unique challenges but also solidifies the club’s bond with its supporters.
This connection to the community is more than just tradition; it is a defining characteristic that influences how German clubs operate. In many other leagues, club ownership is largely seen as an investment or business venture, often detached from the local fan base. While community clubs do exist elsewhere, in Germany this model is almost a prerequisite for survival and success. Frankfurt exemplifies this balance, striving to be both a competitive business and a community institution. This is especially important given the growing financial disparities in European football, where leagues like the English Premier League increasingly dominate by acquiring Bundesliga’s top talents.
Peer Naubert, the Bundesliga’s international CEO, candidly addressed this reality during a recent media roundtable. “We’re not trying to get to the same level as the Premier League because they are doing a different game,” he stated plainly. This recognition doesn’t imply complacency but stresses the Bundesliga’s focus on its unique strengths: developing talent and maintaining a sustainable club model rather than engaging in unsustainable financial competition.
This approach is showcased by Frankfurt’s recent successes and player development strategy. While the club doesn’t aim to sell strikers for exorbitant fees every six months, as seen with players like Randal Kolo Muani, Omar Marmoush, and Hugo Ekitike, those sales are part of the club’s sustainable model. These players are products of Frankfurt’s system, which blends competitive success with talent cultivation. Winning the Europa League in the 2021-